Conference - Nov. 8 - Grand Rapids, MI

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on an upcoming conference featuring ASO board member Sondra as one of the speakers. FYI - Please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Life Strategies:

Surviving and Thriving with ASD

Prince Conference Center (on the beautiful campus of Calvin College)

1800 East Beltline

Grand Rapids, MI

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ONE DAY CONFERENCE

$75/day (includes handouts and snacks)--

Register two or more people at the same time and pay only $65 each!

REGISTER NOW! Click here to register safely and securely online!

AGENDA: (See information on presenters and presentations below)

7:15-8:00 a.m. Registration

8:00-8:15 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks

8:15-9:45 a.m. Alyson Beytien

“Gorilla Grooming: Adolescence, Autism, & Hygieneâ€

9:45--10:15 a.m. BREAK

10:15 a.m. –11:45 Carol Gray

“Friendship, Bullying, and Students with ASD:

Building Social Concepts, Skills, and Safetyâ€

11:45-1:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00-2:30 p.m. Dr. Emilio Amigo & Sondra

“The AMIGO Treatment Modelâ€

2:30-2:55 p.m. BREAK

3:00-4:30 p.m. Beverly Bishop

“Keeping Special Kids Safeâ€

4:30 p.m. Dismiss

EXHIBITING: Contact Christy@... if you are interested in exhibiting at this event.

LODGING: Calvin College (site of the Prince Conference Center where this event will be held) has a wonderful page on their web site detailing area hotels and lodging opportunities. You may even be able to get a special discount if you mention that you will be attending an event at Calvin College! Click here for more information: http://www.calvin.edu/resource/lodging.htm (Note that you can also stay right on-site, as the Prince Conference Center has a beautiful lodging facility with complimentary continental breakfast! A special rate of $81/night can be obtained by mentioning that you are attending The Gray Center conference. HURRY--this rate can only be guaranteed through October 8 and while rooms are available!)

MEALS: The Gray Center is striving to keep this a low-cost event, and to pass the savings on to our attendees. You will find many restaurants nearby (for a complete listing, click here: http://www.calvin.edu/resource/dining.htm). There are also many beautiful places on campus if you would like to pack a picnic lunch. **NOTE: The Gray Center will be offering a lunch for parents, and another for individuals with ASD who would like to meet others. This lunch will be held in a quiet, comfortable setting at the site of the conference--you won't have to leave to find a restaurant. Each lunch will be available first-come, first-served to about 15-20 people. Please watch for this option when you register to attend the conference. Cost will be only $12.95 each!

PARKING: There is NO COST for parking at the Prince Conference Center!

PRESENTATION INFORMATION:

Dr. Emilio Amigo and Sondra

The AMIGO Treatment Model

A- Assessment both diagnostic and ESCAP( Emotional and Social Competency Assessment Program)

M- Multi-sensory child profile and approach

I- Individualized Treatment methods and goals

G- Group therapy experience

O- Outcomes/ Measurement

Dr. Emilio Amigo is the owner and clinical director of Amigo Family Counseling, with over 25 years of clinical practice. He enjoys working with individuals with ASD, whom he considers to be the most unique and special group of people he has ever known.

Dr. Amigo oversees the AFC Social Skills Therapy Program, which consists of individual, family, and group therapy as well as the Comprehensive Assessment of Emotional, and Social Competency (ESCAP). His current clients range from 3-year-old children to 50 something adults. He has also had a practice and served as a full time professor at Brown University.

Sondra , from Columbus, Ohio is a woman with an autism spectrum disorder. As a wife, mother to four children with ASD, a classroom aide, author, and a member of the Ohio Autism Task Force, Sondra is uniquely qualified to provide information and support for others dealing with an autism spectrum disorder. Her insights into autism and life are truly an inspiration for others!

Sondra is a client of Dr. Emilio Amigo. Mrs. is the author of Reflections of Self, and the DVD Define Me. She will be sharing some of what she has valued about her own therapy and some of the wonderful poetry she has written!

Beverly Bishop

Keeping Special Kids Safe

People with ASD have up to seven times more contact with law enforcement than the average citizen. This safety presentation will help attendees identify key areas of concern (such as automobile and fire safety, elopement, abduction, abuse, assault, shoplifting, or stalking) and give practical suggestions for keeping young people with ASD safe while minimizing unnecessary police contact.

Beverly Bishop has a son with high-functioning autism. She is the author of the book My Friend with Autism.

Mrs. Bishop conducts certified Autism Awareness trainings for Law Enforcement officers and volunteers with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department to coordinate the Project Lifesaver program, which provides radio frequency tracking equipment for people with special needs such as Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, or Down Syndrome who tend to wander away or get lost. Mrs. Bishop also teaches safety and educational classes for parents, family members, professionals, college students, and other community members both locally and around the country.

Carol Gray

Friendship, Bullying, and Students with ASD: Building Social Concepts, Skills, and Safety

Participants will be able to identify three common myths that impede efforts to effectively address bullying and ensure social safety for all students. Participants will also be able to describe five strategies to promote friendship opportunities and decrease bullying behavior.

Carol Gray is the president and director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding. She also works privately as an author, speaker, and consultant to children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and other social communication delays and differences. Carol recently completed 22 years of experience educating - and consulting on behalf of - students with ASD at Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan. She is best known among parents and professionals for developing Social Storiesâ„¢ in January of 1991, as well as her groundbreaking work on bullying, loss and learning, and the habits of effective educators.

Carol is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski award for her international contributions to the education and welfare of children with autism spectrum disorders.

Alyson Beytien

Gorilla Grooming: Adolescence, Autism and Hygiene

Each participant will understand the particular challenges of autism in adolescence, along with the neurological factors impacting the adolescent mind and the autistic mind. Participants will also learn practical, safe ways to teach hygiene skills, and learn how to motivate, teach, and continually support the changing needs of adolescents with autism.

Alyson Beytien is a popular speaker, parent/teacher trainer and mother of three sons with autism. She is a consultant and trainer for school systems throughout the Midwest on educating individuals with autism. Alyson has a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and is the moderator of a DVD training series, “Family to Family: A Guide to Living Life When a Child is Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorderâ€. She is also a columnist for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine and host of the web/radio program “Family to Family†on www.autismone.org In her spare time (is there such a thing?) she quilts, gardens, reads voraciously, and thinks of behavior plans in her sleep!